Wall structure



Dec. 3, 1963 M. M. ROSENFELD 3,112,578

WALL STRUCTURE Filed NOV. 24, 1961 INVENTOR. F G. 3 MORTON M. ROSENFELD ZZMKMQ AT TORN E Y United States Patent Oflfice 3111252 8 Patented Dec. 3, 1963 3,112,573 WALL STRUCTUPE Morton M. Ptosenfeid, Mount Vernon, N.Y. (271 Madison Ave, New York, Ni Filed Nov. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 154,542 2 Claims. (Ql. 50-198) This invention relates to an enclosure and a method or" making the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to enclosures having walls internally reinforced and method of making said walls.

At the present time there is a need for an enclosure having internally reinforced wall structures. Such enclosures may be bombshelters, fallout shelters, air raid shelters, foundations of buildings, etc.

While providing an internally reinforced wall structure, the present invention includes novel building blocks adapted to cooperate with the internal reinforcement in a manner so that a straight and properly orientated wall may be readily constructed by an unskilled person in a rapid manner. In accordance with the present invention, the internal reinforcement for the walls is properly orientated and located in its intended disposition prior to the constructing of the walls from courses of blocks. As soon as the internal reinforced members are properly orientated, the construction of the wall proceeds in a rapid manner with all blocks being orientated with respect to each other so that a straight wall may be constructed by a novice.

It is an object of novel wall structure.

it is another object of the present invention to provide an enclosure having an internally reinforced wall structure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel method for constructing a wall.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a novel method of constructing a wall from superimposed courses of overlapping blocks.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel wall structure which is provided with internal reinforcement adapted to accommodate walls of varying height.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel method of constructing a wall wherein relative motion is provided between a block arid its internal reinf rcement after the block has been positioned in place during the construction of the wall.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a novel building block.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view of an enclosure constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a partial exploded view illustrating the details of elements of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view of one end of a rod-like member on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional view of the rod-like member illustrated in FIGURE 4 with an extension connected thereto.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in F IG- URE l a partial perspective View of an enclosure designated generally as 10.

The enclosure It) includes a floor 12 having walls the present invention to provide a 14 and 16 which intersect each other to form a corner of the enclosure. It will be appreciated that the remaining walls of the enclosure 10 have not been illustrated. It is considered that the illustration of walls Id and it: are sufiicient for an understanding of the present invention. The walls 14 and 16 are identical in construction. Hence, the following description will proceed with a detailed explanation of the structure and method of making the wall 14. It will be appreciated that the following also applies to the details and method of making the wall 16.

The wall 14 includes a bottom channel member 18 and a top channel member 26. The members 18 and 26 are identical. Each channel member may be a hollow rectangular tubular member as illustrated more clearly in FIGURE 2. The channel members 18 and 2%) need not be hollow.

As illustrated, the members 18 and 20 are provided with a bottom wall 22 and a longitudinally extending slot 2 in the wall opposite to the wall 22. The wall 22 of the channel member 18 may be fixedly secured to the floor 12 in any convenient manner in a location where the wall 14 is intended to be constructed. It will be noted that the slot 24 is closer to one of the side walls of the channel member 18. Hence, the channel member 2% is merely a channel member 18 disposed upside down.

Rod-like members 26 extend between the channel members 18 and 20. The rod-like members 26 are provided with a head 28 threadably or otherwise secured to eachend thereof. The heads 28 are adapted to be disposed within the channel members 18 and 20 with the rod-like members 26 extending through the slots 24. The rod-like members 26 may assume any one of a Wide variety of shapes in transverse cross-section. As illustrated, the rod-like members 26 are circular in transverse crosssection. Hence, the diameter of the rod-like members 26 is slightly less than the width of the slot 24. The thickness of the head 23 is slightly less than the distance between the inner surfaces of the wall 22 and the wall opposite thereto.

With the channel member 18 anchored or otherwise fixed with respect to the floor 12, the channel member 26 will be supported above the channel member 18 by means of the rod-like members 26. The members 26 will be disposed at spaced points along the length of the members 13 and 2%. In accordance with the present invention, a fixed distance or Whole number multiples thereof is required between the longitudinal axes of the members 26. The significance of the distance between the members 26 will be made clear hereinafter.

In constructing the wall 14, a layer 3% of mortar is applied over the member l8. Thereafter, a first course 32 of blocks 34 is provided on the mortar 39. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 3, each of the blocks 34 is provided with at least one and preferably two transverse slots 35 extending inwardly from a side wall thereof. Each slot 36 is provided with one and preferably two branch slots such as branch slots 38 and 40. As illustrated, the branch slots 38 and extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slots 36 and are disposed so that they cooperate with slots 36 in a manner to form a T-slot.

The spacing between the members 26 corresponds with the spacing etween adjacent slots 36. As the blocks 34 are placed in position, the slots 36 are opposite a member 26 so that the member 26 may enter the slot $6. Thereafter, the blocks 34 may be moved in a longitudinal direction so that the member 25 is disposed in one or" the branch slots such as branch slot 40. Alternatively, the members 26 may be moved into one of the branch slots after the entire wall 14 has been constructed.

As each block 34 is placed in position, mortar 42 is placed on an end surface thereof to interlock blocks adjacent thereto. The slots 36 may be filled with mortar as each block is placed in position. Alternativel mortar may be applied to fill the slots 36 after the entire wall 14 has been constructed. After the first course 32 has been properly positioned, a layer of mortar 45 is applied on the uppermost surface thereof. A second course 48 of blocks 34 is positioned over the layer of mortar 46. In the same manner, additional courses are provided to construct the wall 14 to the desired height. When the desired height has been attained, a roof comprised of slabs of concrete 5% are positioned so that they extend between oppositely disposed walls of the enclosure 19. The slabs 5% may be interconnected with each other by rabbeted joints.

The length of the members 26 between the members 18 and 20 corresponds with the desired height of the wall 14. Preferably, the members 26 are made in a uniform length. When it is desired to increase the length of the members 26, the head 28 is removed and an extension member 52 substituted therefor. The members 52 may terminate at its free end in a head 28. Hence, the height of the wall 14 may be varied as desired.

As illustrated, the mortar 44 is on the inner surface of thewalls 14 and 16. That is, the blocks 34 are inserted in a direction toward the interior of the enclosure 10. In many situations, it is more desirable to position the blocks outwardly with respect to the interior of the enclosure 1% so that the mortar 44 lies on an outer surface of the walls 14- and 16. In this event, the walls of the enclosure ill of the present invention may be constructed in either manner. If the working space is limited, it may be more desirable to have the mortar 44 on an outer surface of the Walls 14 and 16.

The blocks 34 are illustrated as being provided with two slots 36. It is within the scope of the present invention to utilize one or more slots 36 on each block 34. As illustrated, each slot 36 is provided with branch slots 38 and 46. This feature eliminates the necessity of determining which surface of the blocks 34 should be the uppermost surface. It is within the scope of the present invention to provide the slots 36 with only one branch slot such as branch slot 49. In this event, it will be necessary to determine the uppermost surface of the blocks 34 before they are placed in position so that each of the branch slots 40 extend in the same direction with respect to the slots 36. The length of the branch slots should be sufficient so as to accommodate the transverse dimension of the rod-like members 26. in this manner, the surfaces of the rod-like members 26 are juxtaposed to a solid portion of the blocks 34 rather than the mortar 44.

The channel members 18 and 20 may be made from any one of a wide variety of materials. Preferably, the members 18 and 20 are made from metal. The members 26 may be made from metal, wood, plastic, etc. The blocks 3 may be cement blocks, cinder blocks, etc. The mortar between the successive courses of the walls 4 of the enclosure it? as well as the mortar 42 and 44 may be cement-like or an epoxy mastic which is capable of being dispensed from a gun or nozzle.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A wall comprising successive courses of blocks, u right rod-like members disposed in slots extending from a side surface of said blocks, mortar in said slots concealing said members, said blocks being disposed in overlapping relation in successive adjacent courses, mortar between successive courses and between juxtaposed end faces of adjacent blocks in the same course, said block slots being wider in the central portion of said blocks than at the side surface, said rod-like members being disposed in the central portion of said block slots at the periphery thereof, means supporting said rod-like members in an upright disposition, said supporting means comprising elongated members constituting the top and bottom of the intended wall, said elongated members being provided with a guide slot within which the ends of said rod-like members extend, said rod-like members being guided by said guide slot in said elongated members so as to be in line with one another.

2. The wall of claim 1 wherein said rod-like members have a male thread at one end thereof and a female thread at the other end thereof, said rod-like members being adapted to have their male ends cooperate with the female ends of similar rod-like members to extend the height of the wall, and head members within said elongated members and secured to the ends of said rod-like members whereby said rod-like members will have suitable support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 653,017 Bruck July 3, 1900 839,015 Loornis Dec. 18, 1906 1,807,335 Castelyns et al. May 26, 1931 2,320,690 Willis June 1, 1943 2,676,680 Kindorf Apr. 27, 1954 2,718,829 Seymour et al Sept. 27, 1955 2,751,776 Streblow et al June 26, 1956 2,821,850 Adelt Feb. 4, 1958 2,881,613 Taylor et al Apr. 14, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 21,098 Great Britain Nov. 21, 1892 432,191 France Nov. 35, 1911 495,990 France Oct. 23, 1919 305,631 Italy Feb. 3, 1933 163,275 Austria June 10, 1949 

1. A WALL COMPRISING SUCCESSIVE COURSES OF BLOCK, UPRIGHT ROD-LIKE MEMBERS DISPOSED IN SLOTS EXTENDING FROM A SIDE SURFACE OF SAID BLOCKS, MORTAR IN SAID SLOTS CONCEALING SAID MEMBERS, SAID BLOCKS BEING DISPOSED IN OVERLAPPING RELATION IN SUCCESSIVE ADJACENT COURSES, MORTAR BETWEEN SUCCESSIVE COURSES AND BETWEEN JUXTAPOSED END FACES OF ADJACENT BLOCKS IN THE SAME COURSE, SAID BLOCK SLOTS BEING WIDER IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF SAID BLOCKS THAN AT THE SIDE SURFACE, SAID ROD-LIKE MEMBERS BEING DISPOSED IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF SAID BLOCK SLOTS AT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID ROD-LIKE MEMBERS IN AN UPRIGHT DISPOSITION, SAID SUPPORTING MEANS COMPRISING ELONGATED MEMBERS CONSTITUTING THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE INTENDED WALL, SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS BEING PROVIDED WITH A GUIDE SLOT WITHIN WHICH THE ENDS OF SAID ROD-LIKE MEMBERS EXTEND, SAID ROD-LIKE MEMBERS BEING GUIDED BY SAID GUIDE SLOT IN SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS SO AS TO BE IN LINE WITH ONE ANOTHER. 